Adolescent Sleep Deprivation and Academic Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Sleep deprivation is an emerging psychological issue across the globe and this has serious implications for overall health and academic outcomes. A systematic review of 22 peer-reviewed articles published between 2016 and 2026 examined the relationship between sleep deprivation and academic performance among young people aged 10 to 19 years. Three databases, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar, were searched systematically using keywords related to sleep duration, sleep quality, and academic performance. The inclusion and exclusion criteria used to screen studies were based on PRISMA principles. Thematic analysis revealed seven major themes: sleep duration and academic achievement, sleep quality and cognitive functioning, the role of the screen as a mediating factor, and school start times as a structural intervention, among others. The results show that lack of sleep is related to lower grades, poor memory consolidation, and low attention. The review identifies that policy-level intervention of delayed school start times and individual-level intervention of reduced evening screen time are needed. Future longitudinal studies and cross-cultural studies recommendations are suggested.